Train-order catcher.



No. 744,890. PATENTED NOV. 24, 1903.

J. W. WOODARD.

TRAIN ORDER GATOHER,

APPLICATION FILED 11113.24, 190 3.

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lUiTnn TATns Patented November 24, 1903 JOSEPH W. WOODARD, OF ALLENDALE, SOUTH CAROLINA.

TRAlN ORDER CATCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 744,890, dated November 24, 1903 Application filed March 24,1903. Serial No. 149,387. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH WV. l VOODARD, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Allendale, in the county of Barnwell and State of South Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Train Order Catchers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in train-order catchers; and it consists in the peculiar construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully set forth and claimed.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this character by means of which engineers and conductors of trains may re ceive their running-orders withoutthe necessity of stopping, a further object being to providea device whichissimple in construction, durable in use, efficientin operation, and co mparatively inexpensive of production.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrange ment of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the supporting post and arm. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the catching arm or hook. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the device for holding the train orders or despatches.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a vertical post which is erected upon one side of and at a suitable distance from the railway-track. Upon the upper end of this post I pivot, as shown at 2, the arm 3, which has its outer end provided with a pivoted spring-clamp 4. This arm 3 has a vertical swinging movement and can be held in any desired position by means of the rod 5, one end of which is pivoted to the arm at 6 and the other end being provided with a series of loops or hooks 7, one of which engages a pin or stud 8 upon the post in order to hold said arm in an adjusted position.

The containing device 9, in which the running orders or despatches are delivered, con- 'hasp or look 11 upon the box with the edge of the cover. This holding or containing device for the train-orders is adapted to be held in the springclamp 4 upon the arm 3 with the circular frame 10 in a vertical plane, as shown in Fig. 1.

Secured upon one side of the cab of the 10- comotive, at a height corresponding to the height of the arm 3, is a block 13, upon which a rod 14 is journaled in hearings or keepers 15. Said rod carries at one end a hook-arm 16, which extends in the direction in which the engine moves and at an angle to the rod 14E. Said hook-arm 16 is formed adjacent to its outer or forward end with the depression or offset portion 17, which forms a seat for the forked free end of a detent-arm 18, which is pivoted at 19 to the rod 14.. The end of this detent-arm is held against the depressed portion 17 by a spring 18*, which is secured upon rod 14:. The hook-arm 16 is adapted, when in use, to lie in a horizontal plane and engage the frame or hoop 10 upon the order-containing device as the engine passes the post 1. When not in use, it may be swung or turned up to a vertical position against the cab of the engine; but it is prevented from dropping below a horizontal position by the stud or lug 13 upon the block 13.

In the operation of my invention the running orders or despatches to be delivered to the engineer are placed in the box or receptacle 9, and the same is placed in the springclamp 4 upon the horizontal supporting-arm 3, which may be adjusted at the proper height by the rod 5. The engaging arm or hook 16 upon the locomotive being in a horizontal position will engage the circular frame or hoop attached to the box 9, when the locomotive passes the post 1. As the hook-arm passes through the frame or hoop the detect-arm will open sufficiently to permit the frame to pass on to the end of the arm and will immediately close, thus preventing the frame from dropping from the arm.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, operation, and advantages of m yinvention will be readily apparent without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to Without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus particularly described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the post 1, the arm 3 pivoted thereto, the spring-clamp upon said arm, an adjusting-rod 5 pivoted to said arm and provided with loops or hooks, and a projection or stud 8 upon said post, adapted to HBSSGS.

JOSEPH W. WOODARD. Witnesses:

JULIUS SKLARZ, WALTER SMART. 

